If you’re a wine lover, a visit to the Margaret River wine region in Western Australia might be just the thing you’ve been waiting for. With plenty of area vineyards, great wines, and excellent food, the Margaret River region makes an excellent spot for a holiday. Let’s take a look at what you’ll need to know about this wonderful destination.
A remarkable number of people are surprised to find out about the Margaret river region. It’s one of Australia’s best kept secrets. Located just south of Perth, this area of Western Australia features some of the most beneficial climate and soil conditions around – at least when it comes to growing wine grapes.
The Margaret River wine region has been compared to some of France’s best wine growing areas, including Bordeaux in a dry vintage, and produces wines that can compete with some of the world’s best. It offers the right range of humidity and temperature and the perfect soils for making great wine.
Commercial production in the region is relatively recent – it dates back only to the 1970s. More famous Australian wine regions have been growing grapes a lot longer, but that doesn’t mean the grapes are better. The Margaret River wine region produces grapes that can measure up to almost any competition.
There are a number of factors that contribute to the excellent wines the Margaret River region has to offer. The first is the soil. This relatively small area is composed mostly of a deep gravelly loam that allows the roots of grape vines to get a deep foothold and keep growing through the region’s very dry summers. The soil’s tendency to shed moisture quickly means that not many grapes grow, but the ones which do are strongly colored and flavored – perfect for high quality wines.
The other major factor that enables product of high quality wines in the Margaret River region is the climate. The area has been said to have a Mediterranean climate, with warm temperares that aren’t too extreme, and the right amount of rain at the right time. These factors combine to make the Star Class Tours Margaret River wine region the perfect place for growing excellent wine grapes.
This area is known for several different types of wine, but primarily for its Cabernet Sauvignon. Chardonnay, Merlot, and blended wines are also popular choices. The area doesn’t produce much Shiraz, despite the popularity of this wine in Australia – Shiraz production is limited to the far northern part of the Margaret River region, and is low in volume.
If you’re considering a visit to the Margaret River region, you might want to time it to coincide with vintage – the picking of the grapes, which occurs between February and May. Of course, the weather is what really determines when the grapes will be ready, so there’s no set date for picking. To get all the grapes picked before they spoil or lose their flavor, vineyards use hand and machine harvesting methods. The best grapes produce the best wine, after all.
Your visit to the region should include a stop by the area’s many small wineries. Their cellar door sales and tastings could help you get many excellent varieties at a much lower price than you could buy them at home. There are other benefits to visiting the region in person, too: not everything gets exported, and you could be missing out on some unique wine experiences.
Take the time to enjoy a vineyard tour, and see where and how the wine is produced, then try some of the area’s excellent restaurants and cafes. There’s more than wine available, as well. The Margaret River area boasts some truly beautiful beaches, as well as swimming and surfing opportunities.
Stay in one of the Margaret River region’s fine hotels, or try a bed and breakfast. Either way, you’ll want to have a glass of local wine in the evening before you head to bed. Enjoy the scenery, and take the time to relax – the Margaret River region is the perfect place for a wine-lover’s holiday.